Spinning top



Nov. 30, 1948. G. A. GEDDES I SPINNING TOP Filed March 1 4, 1946 feotyeflc eda'ez 19 M Q65? Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEM SPINNING TOP George A. Geddes, Minneapolis, Minn. Application March 14, 194.6, Serial No. 654,281

My invention relates to an improvement in spinning tops, wherein it is desired to provide a novel top construction and holder therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a top which may be easily spun by even an inexperienced person. My top is spun while being supported by a. simple holder. As a result much of the difiiculty often experienced in spinning a top is obviated.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a top having an upwardly projecting axial shank, and in providing a holder which engages one side of the shank. The shank of the top is held against the holder by means of the string or cord used for spinning the top. As a result as soon as the cord has been unwound from the shank the holder is entirely free of the shank.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a holder having a bifurcated hook shaped end. The string used for spinning the top is wrapped about the portion of the shank between the two hook shaped holder ends. The pull on the cord is thus equalized by a bearing above and below the portion of the shank on which the cord is wrapped.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a top shank having shoulder means thereupon for engaging one of the hook shaped bifurcated ends of the holder. This shoulder means holds the shank of the top from axial movement relative to the holder and prevents the disengagement between the holder and the top until the cord has been unwound from the shank.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a top having a low center of gravity and a body which is widest at a point spaced from its lower end. The lower end of the body is curved upwardly so that the top will rest on this rounded surface when rotative movement of the top is too slow to hold the top upright.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the top showing the construction thereof.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the manner in which the cord and holder engages the shank of the top.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2 3 Claims. (01. 46-72) showing the holder in engagement with the top.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the top.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the holder.

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the holder.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the holder.

The top A comprises a. circular body Ill having a cylindrical body portion ll, an inwardly arcuated body portion l2 above the cylindrical portion I I, and a rounded body portion [3 below the cylindrical portion H. A shank I4 extends axially through the body Ill and is preferably provided at its lowermost extremity with a rounded bearing point l5 which provides a minimum of friction during the spinning operation. The bearing point I 5 is shown as comprising a rounded head of a nail or screw l6 extending coaxially intothe shank I4. I

The groove I1 is provided in the shank l4 near the upper extremity thereof. This groove I1 is designed to engage the holder to prevent the holder from moving longitudinally relative to the shank. The groove I! is preferably rounded to fit smoothly against the holder. The holder B in preferred form comprises an elongated rod or wire bent intermediate its ends at l9 to provide two substantially parallel, but slightly divergent arms 20 and 2|. These arms 20 and 2| are pro vided with a. hook shaped end thereupon designed to fit about the shank of the top. The arm 20 is bent angularly at 22 and is reversely curved at 23 to terminate in an outwardly projecting end 24. The arm 2| is bent at 25 and reversely bent at 26 to terminate in a free end 21 parallel to and spaced from the end 24. Thus two hook shaped loops are formed which are aligned and which are engageable about the shank M of the top A.

In operation a cord C is wound about the shank M of the top, the cord being wound about that portion of the shank spaced somewhat above the body It! and below the groove I1. When the cord has been Wound upon the shank the holder B is engaged with the shank in the manner illus trated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the hook end of one arm engaging in the groove I! and the other arm being closely adjacent the body Ill of the top. The free end of the cord 0 is engaged with one hand while the other hand of the operator engages the handle arms 20 and 2|. One finger engages against the body of the top to hold the top from rotation and to hold the shank engaging in the hook shaped end of the holder.

When the top is spun a pull is exerted upon the free end of the cord C and the finger holding the top in place on the holder is released. The pull upon the cord is sufficient to hold the top against the holder. However, as soon as the cord C has become unwound from the top shank, there is no force holding the shank of the top against the holder so that the top may drop onto the surface on which it is to spin.

It will be seen that if desired the top may be placed in theholder as illustrated Figure 3 of the drawings and'the cord wound about the shank intermediate the ends of the arms 20 and 2|. It is usually much simpler, however, to wind the cord about the shank of the top before the holder is applied thereto.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my spinning to and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of myinvention. 'Iclaim: 1. A holder for use in conjunction with .a top having an axial shaft, a groove encircling said shaft near the upper end thereof and a body encircling the shaft near the lower end thereof, the holder comprising an elongated handle having apair of hook shaped members projecting from one end thereof one above the other in 2 spaced relation, the uppermost of said hook shaped members being engageable about said shank in said groove and the lower of said hook shaped members being engageable about said shank adjacent the upper end of said body, said hook-shaped members being shaped with an open side extending transversely of the longitudinal handle axis. s n

2 A holder for use in'conjunction with a top having an axial shank; a groove encircling the 4 shank near the upper end thereof, a body encircling the shank near the lower end thereof, said holder including a pair of spaced connected arms arranged one above the other, each of said arms having a hook shaped end thereupon, the uppermost of said hook shaped ends being engageable in said groove about said shank and the lower of said hook shaped ends being engageable about said shank adjacent the upper end of said' body; said hook-shaped members being shaped with an open side extending transversely of the longitudinal handle axis.

3. A holder for use in conjunction with a top having an axial shank, shoulder means on said shank near the upper end thereof, and a top body on said shank near the lower end thereof, said holder comprising a pair of spaced arms connected at one end, a hook shaped free end on each :of said arms, the uppermost of said hook shaped ends being enga'geable about said shank adjacentsaidshoulder and the lower of said hook shaped ends being :engageable about said shank adjacent the upper end of said body, said hookshaped members being shaped with an open side extending transversely of the longitudinal haniexis.

GEORGE A. GEDDES.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

